Finding Our Identity / Ephesians 1:7-14
Ephesians 1:7-14/ The journey to finding our true personal identity can be a long and difficult one. Life is hard and confusing, but faith in Christ has a way of simplifying our reality. Today we continue exploring what it means to find our identity in the person of Christ, by asking how does knowing Christ effect how I understand myself?
Finding Our Identity / Ephesians 1:3-6
Ephesians 1:3-6 / In the Book of Ephesians, we will be uncovering what it means to know who we are in light of what God says about us. Paul takes time to describe to the church what God has in store for us in heavenly places. These eternal blessing should inform our temporal reality, but so often our sins are difficult to let go of, but is that because we don’t know God the way we should?
Finding Our Identity / Ephesians 1:1-2
Ephesians 1:1-2 / In the Book of Ephesians, we will be uncovering what it means to know who we are in light of what God says about us. As we begin the study, we address three important principles about our identity.
Within the Value of Investment / 1 Cor 16:13-24
1 Corinthians 16:13-24 / As we concluded the first letter to the church in Corinth, we are charged to take all that we have learned and live in light of truth. Paul asks the church to function in maturity, to face their fears, to welcome the burden of ministry and celebrate those who have loved them and served them. He asks them, after all have you learned, “are you ready to make the investment?”
Within the Nature of Relationships / 1 Cor 16:5-12
1 Corinthians 16:5-12 / All human relationships have limitations; constraints of time, energy and priority. Sometimes in ministry, we have unfair expectations of one another that put unnecessary strain on our love. In today’s sermon, Paul explains to the church in Corinth, that while he desires to minister to them, they must temper their expectations and be patient towards him and the other leaders. Today’s sermon helps us consider, do I respect the natural limitations of my ministry relationships?
Within the Act of Giving / 1 Cor 16:1-4
1 Corinthians 16:1-4 / In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, Paul proves the resurrection and inspires us to live in light of that hope. As we begin chapter 16, it becomes clear that living in the power of the resurrection includes having proper convictions and obeying the simple instructions of God. This week Paul teaches us about sacrificial giving: why it’s important and why it is a reflection of our faith.
…so live victorious today. / 1 Cor 15:50-58
1 Corinthians 15:50-58 / In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, Paul sets out to prove to them that we serve a resurrected Savior and that he has promised us a future resurrection in him. Over the last few weeks we have been addressing “what will happen to me when I die?” but this week we will also be learning how, for the Christian, the answer to that question should produce confidence and hope in our lives.
…we will change… / 1 Cor 15:39-49
1 Corinthians 15:39-49 / In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, Paul sets out to prove to them that we serve a resurrected Savior and that he has promised us a future resurrection in him. Every person on earth finds themselves contemplating questions of life and death, everyone asks themselves “what will happen to me when I die?”. The Bible has very simple answers to these questions that we will continue exploring today.
When we die… / 1 Cor 15:35-38
1 Corinthians 15:35-38 / In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, Paul sets out to prove to them that we serve a resurrected Savior and that he has promised us a future resurrection in him. Every person on earth finds themselves contemplating questions of life and death, everyone asks themselves “what will happen to me when I die?”. The Bible has very simple answers to these questions that we will explore today.
What Religion Can’t Replace / 1 Cor 15:29-34
1 Corinthians 15:29-34/ In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, Paul sets out to prove to them that we serve a resurrected Savior, that his gospel has the power to save and change lives and that he has promised us a future resurrection in him. In our world today, if we aren’t careful to consider our resurrection - then our Christianity can become nothing more than hollow ritual. In verses 29-34 we ask ourselves, “what does it mean to be religious?”.
Our Future Hope / 1 Cor 15:20-28
1 Corinthians 15:20-28/ The church in Corinth had allowed themselves to fall into heretical beliefs and many of the members of the church were convinced that there was no resurrection for the dead. Paul sets out to prove to them that we serve a resurrected Savior, that his gospel has the power to save and change lives and that he has promised us a future resurrection in him. In verses 20-28 we ask ourselves, “does the imminent return of Jesus fill me with hope or fear?”.
The Power of Hope / 1 Cor 15:12-19
1 Corinthians 15:12-19 / The church in Corinth had allowed themselves to fall into heretical beliefs and many of the members of the church were convinced that there was no resurrection for the dead. Paul sets out to prove to them that we serve a resurrected Savior, that his gospel has the power to save and change lives and that he has promised us a future resurrection in him. In verses 12-19 we ask ourselves, “is the knowledge of the resurrection actively strengthening my life?”.
Capacity for Great Things / 1 Cor 15:9-11
1 Corinthians 15:9-11 / The church in Corinth had allowed themselves to fall into heretical beliefs and many of the members of the church were convinced that there was no resurrection for the dead. Paul sets out to prove to them that we serve a resurrected Savior, that his gospel has the power to save and change lives and that he has promised us a future resurrection in him. In this first part of chapter 15 we ask ourselves, “is the resurrection of Christ actively changing my life?”.
A Sure Hope / 1 Cor 15:1-8
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 / The church in Corinth had allowed themselves to fall into heretical beliefs and many of the members of the church were convinced that there was no resurrection for the dead. Paul sets out to prove to them that we serve a resurrected Savior, that his gospel has the power to save and change lives and that he has promised us a future resurrection in him. In this first part of chapter 15 we ask ourselves, “what does the resurrection mean to me?”.
We Are Members, Uniquely Gifted pt. 9 / 1 Corinthians 14:20-40
1 Corinthians 14:20-40 / In 1 Corinthians chapter 14, Paul begins addressing the gift of speaking in tongues directly. Paul was concerned by the Corinthians emphasis on the more eccentric gifts that didn’t edify the body. In this sermon, we will discuss how understanding and order produce edification in the body of Christ.
We Are Members, Uniquely Gifted pt. 8 / 1Corinthians 14:1-19
1 Corinthians 14:1-19 / In 1 Corinthians chapter 14, Paul begins addressing the gift of speaking in tongues directly. Paul was concerned by the Corinthians emphasis on the more eccentric gifts that didn’t edify the body. In this sermon, we will discuss how the act of preaching best exemplifies charity and is the primary emphasis for the New Testament believer.
We Are Members, Uniquely Gifted pt. 7 / 1Corinthians 13:8-13
1 Corinthians 13:8-13 / While studying spiritual gifts, we have learned that charitable love is necessary if we hope to be of any use at all to God’s mission. Charity is more important than our ability to exercise our gifting or our identity in ministry. With those thoughts in mind, the Apostle Paul reveals to us that in fact, some of the spiritual gifts were meant to be temporary and would one day be replaced by something more perfect and complete. In this sermon we discover what that means and what it looks like to truly prioritize eternal things as we minister the gospel.
We Are Members, Uniquely Gifted pt. 6 / 1Corinthians 13:6-8
1 Corinthians 13:6-8 Over the last few studies, we have learned how God has uniquely gifted every believer and that our gifting is exemplified in our Christ-like love. In this final sermon on charity, we take the time to define what Christ-like love looks like in the life of the believer.
We Are Members, Uniquely Gifted pt. 5 / 1Corinthians 13:5
1 Corinthians 13:5 Over the last few studies, we have learned how God has uniquely gifted every believer and that our gifting is exemplified in our Christ-like love. In this sermon we take the time to define what charity looks like in the life of the believer.
We Are Members, Uniquely Gifted Pt. 4 / 1Corinthians 13:4
1 Corinthians 13:4 Over the last few studies, we have learned how God has uniquely gifted every believer and that our gifting is exemplified in our Christ-like love. In this sermon we take the time to define what charity looks like in the life of the believer.